Q. Hello and thank you for agreeing this interview and congratulations on your latest book, ‘One Enduring Lesson’. Tell me a little about yourself and your background?
Hi Aman, I am most pleased to be interviewed by you.
Born in Bombay (now Mumbai) and brought up in Tanzania, East Africa, I am a Chartered Accountant and now live in London, UK where I am settled since 1972. Over the years I have had a varied career path in England having worked in audit firms, the private sector and a registered public charity. I am now a self-employed property finance broker specialising in arranging commercial property finance for my UK clients.
I have travelled widely including to India, Kenya, Tanzania, China, Egypt, USA, Canada, Europe and the Middle East. My interests include reading, current affairs, movies and cricket.
One Enduring Lesson, a story based in India and a tale of the undying human spirit of survival against all odds is my debut novel
Q. Briefly, what led you up to ‘One Enduring Lesson’?
In 2009 I came up with the idea of Writing a novel. It was a sudden inspiration. The title of the novel is inspired from the last paragraph of “The Memoirs of AgaKhan” wherein the late Aga Khan III wrote :-
“Life in the ultimate analysis has taught me one enduring lesson. The subject
should always disappear in the object”.
Based on this theme, I developed a tale of the undying human spirit of survival against all odds in which my protagonist totally immerses himself in everything he does.
Q. Since you write so flawlessly, what is the easiest thing about writing?
In my school days in Zanzibar, Tanzania I used to Write scores of essays. So writing was a habit for me from my young days. Here I would like to give credit to my late father Hassanali who taught me English from the age of 4. The interesting thing is that my father’s own command of English was very basic. So he would speak in Gujarati when teaching me English! He would teach me new English words, how to spell them and how to use them. I would then improvise and write sentences in English and build up my writing skills with his tuition.
Writing is one thing, but writing a novel is quite a different thing. I had an original story in mind, but had no idea of how to write a novel. I had to self-tuition myself in the art of storytelling, scene construction, dialogue development and creative writing. To do this I started reading novels written by famous novelists and also started watching films. In all I read 75 novels and saw 260 films. I also attended a few short courses in London in creative writing. I made extensive study notes from all these resources which immensely helped in the writing and editing of my debut novel and take it forward to acceptance and publications by Rupa Publications of India.
Q. What motivates you to write?
I genuinely believed that I had a good story to tell and wanted the world to read it. This motivated me to write my debut novel.
My motivation led me to work very hard on my project and encouraged me to make a substantial investment of my time, efforts and resources in taking it forward.
My story is based in India. I did extensive research on many aspects of life in India and issues covered in my novel. In all I had 235 print-outs on various subjects to read and draw knowledge from. In January 2011, I made a special trip to India and visited Mumbai and Amritsar and visited all the places in these two cities where the action takes place involving the protagonist Rahul Saxena. It was a fact-find visit which greatly assisted me in describing some of the places and events in my novel.
My motivation led me to get up at 4.00 in the morning to write. As a debut novelist, it was a slow and painful process. But I persevered and completed my first draft in September 2011 which I later enriched with dozens of improvements and new ideas, culminating in a draft which was finally accepted by Rupa Publications of India.
Q. When did you decide that you want to be a writer?
In 2009. It was a sudden inspiration.
Q. Could the process of publishing be any different? In general, what things Indian publishers should consider?
Publishing is a business for a publisher. The publishing company obviously would like to invest its’ resources only in projects that have a good chance of making money for the company’s shareholders. The number of manuscripts received by publishers is huge. Budding writers therefore face an uphill struggle. However if your product is good, and you believe it to be so, you will eventually find a publisher if you persist.
Q. What do you prefer: Pen or Computer? And how do you stay organised (any methods, systems, tools you use)?
I prefer computer. This makes writing and editing very easy. I set up two Word documents – the first in which I would quickly put down new ideas, phrases, dialogues, scene descriptions etc. for use later by me in my novel.
The second was the actual novel in a draft form. These two Word documents helped me to stay organized and in control of my writing process.
Q. How do you relax?
I don’t get easily tensed. I like to take thing easy. I relax by reading my daily newspaper, spending time with my family, and watching TV. Every Saturday evening a drive in and around London followed by eating out with my wife and son is a must and is quite relaxing.
Q. Do you have an agent. If yes, how did you find them?
No. I do not have and agent.
Q. What would you have done differently if you could do it again?
I wish, I had the thought and the inspiration of writing a novel 40 years ago. That way I might have written even better in my younger days.
Q. Something personal about you people may be surprised to know?
I am a Muslim, but I believe in and respect all religions. This is reflected in my novel wherein I have incorporated beliefs and practices from all the major faiths of this world.
Q. What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?
I think one must have the courage to accept all reviews. Good reviews are an encouragement. Bad reviews can also be an encouragement – to write even better!.
Q. Do you re-read books? One book that you would read again & again?
To be honest, I started reading books only when I wanted to write my debut novel. This was in 2009. I read 75 novels. All once only. I don’t think I would like to re-read any Book. However it’s different with films. I don’t mind seeing the same film over and over again, like Godfather.
Q. Your influence(s)/ favourite author(s)?
I have no favourite authors as such, but I liked books written by Nicholas Sparks like The Notebook and Message in a Bottle. I also drew inspiration from many other books including some which won Booker Prize like The White Tiger and Midnight’s Children.
Q. What book(s) are you reading at present?
None.
Q. Are you working on anything at the moment? When can we see your next work?
I will write another novel only if and when I have another brilliant and original story coming to my mind.
Q. Do you have a website?
No, I do not have a website. But I am Facebook and Twitter.
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